Wilde condemns nuclear testing

Press, 26 October 1989, Page 7

Wilde condemns nuclear testing

The resumption of nuclear testing by France in the South Pacific has been condemned by the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Ms Wilde. The D.S.I.R. yesterday reported there had been another test by France, probably at Mururoa Atoll. It occurred at 5.30 a.m. and was detected by the seismological station at Rarotonga. Ms Wilde said the test’s yield was about 25 kilotonnes and signified the start of a second series of tests in 1989. Since 1984 French nuclear testing had generally fallen into the pattern of two series of tests — in May-June and October-November.

It was the fifth French nuclear test in the region for 1989. “The countries of the South Pacific have made it abundantly clear on innumerable occasions that they have had enough of nuclear testing in the region,” she said. Continued testing in the region was an affront to everyone who lived here. Greenpeace also condemned the resumption . of French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Greenpeace said the blast marked the start of the “second series” of French nuclear tests in the South Pacific this year. Four tests had already been made this year, the latest on June 10 at Fangataufa, it said.